Killington Resort Reports Recovery from Hurricane Irene

Vermont’s Killington Resort, a major ski destination, reports it continues to repair and clean up base lodges, roads, lodging properties, snowmaking pump houses and water damage brought by Tropical Storm Irene. Phone, water and power have been restored at the resort. The resort says it plans to open on schedule for the 2011-12 winter season.

Currently roads leading in and out of Killington are limited, however. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Vermont Authority of Transportation are diligently working to build roads, and the National Guard continues to provide supply drops of food, water, blankets and cots to the Killington, Mendon and Pittsfield communities, the resort reports. The Command Center, located at the Killington Fire and Rescue Station, continues to ensure food, water, shelter and medical needs and prescription refills are provided for residents in surrounding areas.

Killington Resort is offering temporary housing at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel for local residents in Killington, Pittsfield, Bridgewater and Mendon (Wheelerville Road and East) who either lost their home or their home is deemed uninhabitable due to damage from tropical storm Irene for up to one week. Residents in need of temporary housing should go directly the Killington Grand Resort Hotel and check in at the front desk, reservations are not required.

“Most of our infrastructure received only minor damage,” said Chris Nyberg, president and general manager for Killington Resort. “Right now, we are most concerned about our community and employees and we will continue to assist those in need.”

As the restoration process continues over the next couple of weeks, all special events at Killington Resort and Pico Mountain have been cancelled or postponed through September 18. Killington Resort Lodging will begin to accept reservations starting September 23. The resort says it plans to reopen the Killington Golf Course, K-1 Lodge, hiking and K-1 Express Gondola as soon as possible. The Pico Mountain Adventure Center, Pico Disc Golf and Pico Mountain Stables are closed for the season, as well as the Mountain Bike Park and Shop.

“Mountain biking is closed for the season so we can maximize our efforts cleaning and restoring mountain facilities and infrastructure for the winter season,” said Jeff Temple, director of mountain operations for Killington Resort, “In addition, we are working on a number of summer capital improvement projects that we need to complete.”

The Pico Sports Center and VAC child care are not operating until further notice. The resort said it intends to kick off the foliage season with the annual Killington Brewfest, October 1.